August 9, 2010

 

HK reports no AH1N1 virus in Chinese pigs

Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) Friday (Aug 6) announced that no AH1N1 influenza viruses nor any re-assortment of viruses were detected in pig samples from the Mainland taken during May to July.

 

The results reported were part of a regular influenza virus surveillance programme conducted by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) at the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse.

 

A spokesman for the CFS said that the centre would continue to monitor reports of the programme and make announcements on a regular basis.

 

"Results will be announced immediately if there are significant public health impacts such as gene re-assortment of viruses," he said, adding that given the wide transmission of the pandemic H1N1 virus in humans, detection of the virus in pigs would not be a surprise.

 

It was expected that positive findings may appear from time to time in the future, he said.

 

The CFS has been liaising closely with the Mainland authorities on any abnormal situation in the Mainland farms supplying live pigs to Hong Kong and farm inspection would be stepped up when necessary.

 

Under the surveillance programme, the CFS has been helping the HKU researchers by collecting blood, tracheal and nasal swabs from pigs at the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse twice a month.